The Benue State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned separate statements issued by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Solomon Iorpev, and the APC State Publicity Secretary, Benedict Yawe, describing them as desperate attempts to divert public attention from legitimate questions about the revenue and expenditure of Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration.
This was contained in a statement signed by the State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Bright Yima Antyo, on 19th October, 2026.
The PDP said it was appalled that rather than provide verifiable answers to questions surrounding the reported monthly Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) receipts of approximately N30 billion, the two officials resorted to political accusations and propaganda against the immediate past administration.
“Benue people are not asking for political drama. They are demanding accountability. They want to know how much money their state receives, how much is spent, what it is spent on, what liabilities remain outstanding and what tangible projects have been delivered with public funds,” the party said.
The opposition party noted that legitimate questions about public funds should not be evaded by any responsible government, adding that Governor Alia’s administration cannot continually invoke the record of its predecessor whenever questions are raised about its stewardship.
“The past does not provide a hiding place for the present and attacking the opposition is no substitute for opening the books,” the PDP stated.
The party said the APC’s reference to the reported N139.8 billion discrepancy identified by a Commission of Inquiry makes the demand for transparency even more compelling, stressing that allegations against a former administration do not absolve the incumbent government of its own responsibility to account for public resources.
“Two wrongs do not make a right, and yesterday’s allegations cannot answer today’s questions,” it added.
The PDP further stated that claims by government and party spokespersons about debt repayment, regular salary payments, infrastructure development, industrial revival and improvements in education and healthcare must be substantiated with independently verifiable records.
It insisted that public accountability is not a partisan favour but an obligation owed to the people, stressing that every administration, past or present, must be prepared to answer legitimate questions about its management of public funds.
While acknowledging prevailing economic challenges, the PDP said such challenges cannot excuse opacity in the management of public funds, especially at a time when citizens are struggling with rising living costs.
The party therefore challenged Governor Alia’s administration to publish a comprehensive and verifiable account of the state’s finances, including:
- Monthly FAAC receipts – actual amounts received by the state government, clearly distinguished from allocations to the 23 local government councils;
- Statutory deductions and other obligations affecting funds available for expenditure;
- Recurrent expenditure – detailed records on salaries, pensions, overheads and administrative costs;
- Capital expenditure – amounts budgeted, released and actually spent on each major project, including contractors and implementation status;
- Debt servicing and repayments – breakdown of loans, outstanding obligations and balances;
- Project delivery and performance – verifiable evidence of completed and ongoing projects.
“These are basic requirements of responsible financial management, not unreasonable demands from an opposition party,” the PDP said.
The party challenged the Alia administration to explain the relationship between the substantial public revenues reportedly accruing to the state and the projects and measurable improvements in citizens’ lives.
“If the figures are correct and the records support the government’s claims, publishing them should be the easiest way to silence its critics. Why resort to political distractions when documentary evidence can settle the matter?” the statement queried.